Caroline joined Medilink Midlands as an Innovation Adviser 18 months ago and has already supported many medtech, healthcare, and life science companies on their innovation journeys. In her role, she assists Medilink Midlands’ members in identifying barriers to innovation and helps to map out pathways for them to overcome these using the extensive network and expertise Medilink Midlands has to offer.
Prior to working at Medilink Midlands, Caroline completed a PhD in Chemistry before moving on to commercialising research within the medtech and healthcare sectors at the University of Nottingham. She was in this role for over 12 years and during that time was involved in forming several spin-out companies from the University and worked with academics to protect and develop their innovations, as well as gain valuable funding.
After this, Caroline spent three years working in grant writing, where she helped companies secure translational development funding. This role gave her valuable knowledge that she is able to utilise when securing grants for Medilink members.
A key area of Caroline’s role at Medilink Midlands focuses on building connections for members by signposting them to relevant organisations and information and providing them with invaluable networking opportunities. She ensures that members are connected with the right people and are provided with as many growth opportunities as possible.
As an Innovation Adviser, Caroline supports a wide range of members, but her key areas of focus are businesses located in Nottingham and Derby. Caroline particularly appreciates supporting companies in healthcare sector, as she explains: “It is incredibly rewarding being able to see first-hand how patients are benefitting from the work and innovations of local healthcare companies.”
One company that Caroline has particularly enjoyed working with is Eureka Inventions Ltd, which has invented a device enabling doctors to easily count medical swabs. Caroline says: “I worked with Eureka Inventions prior to my time at Medilink Midlands and I am thrilled to be continuing to support a company that has invented such an impactful and innovative device.
“We are pleased to have secured the funding for the current trial the company is running, and we look forward to seeing the results.”
Having spent many years in the life sciences sector, Caroline has seen many changes, but she cites the most significant as being Brexit, which has affected the speed and the ways in which regulatory processes are achieved. Coupled with the loss of many funds specific to aiding companies in the life sciences, Caroline acknowledges it has been a challenging time for many businesses but is confident that Medilink Midlands’ specialist support will empower members to establish, develop, and grow.
To learn more about our Innovation Advisers, visit our page here.
